Submarine signal and escape-buoy.



0. W. JASPER.

SUBMARINE SIGNAL AND ESCAPE BUOY.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5, 1916.

1 ,283,52'3. Patented Nov. 5, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l. @5

0. W. JASPER.

SUBMARINE SIGNAL AND ESCAPE BUOY.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.5. 1916.

1 ,283,523. Patented Nov. 5, 1918,

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VII/ll gnwntoc I flg/ m 0. W. JASPER. SUBMARINE SIGNAL AND ESCAPE BUOY.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.5. 19I6. 1,283,523. raxeqtgd'm. 1918.

Ill:

UNITED STATES PATENT ormoE.

OSSED W. JASPER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-SIXTH TO WILLIAM M. JONES AND ONE-SIXTH TO MALCOM A. KARSHNER, BOTH OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

SUBMARINE SIGNAL AND ESCAPE-RUDY.

Application filed December 5, 1916. Serial No. 135,177.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ossnn W. JASPER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Submarine Signals and Escape-Buoys, of which the following is a-specification.

In the drawings Figure 1, is a vertical longitudinal section of myimproved signal and buoy con nected to the hull of a submarine boat. Fig. 1 is an enlarged detail view.

Fig. 2, is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the buoy and signal detached.

Figs. 3, 4, and 5, are detail sectional views.

Fig. 6, is a diagram of the operating circuits.

Fig. 7, is a detail view of the ring contflCtSn Fig. 8, is an enlarged detail view of the wireless tower and its receiver.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide means for the escape of a crew. from a submerged submarine independent of outside help.

A further object of .my invention is to provide a wireless signal apparatus in which the projection of the masts thereof may be controlled from the interior of a submarine whether the boat is submerged or not.

A further object of my invention is to provide a buoy of the character herein described with telephone, heliograph, telegraph and other signals which may be operated from within the boatto which the buoy is attached.

A further object of my invention is to provide a compartment within the submarine in which to store the buoy below the deck whereby there are no projections above the deck incident to the installation of my invention.

A further object of my invention is to provide the buoy compartment and buoy with means whereby the last of the crew to escape may enter the buoy from the submarine then flood'the compartment, whereupon the buoy is free to float to the surface of the water.

A further object of my invention is to provide a buoy of the character herein described with life belts, collapsible boats and other means of escape; also a supply of food and oxygen; and with these and other objects in view my invention consists in the parts and combination of parts hereinafter pointed out.

The reference numeral 1, designates the deck of a submarine of any approved construction in which there is an opening which registers with a water tight compartment 2, suitable for housing a buoy 3. A door 4, is hinged to and adapted to close the top of the water tight compartment. The free end of the door is provided with a screw threaded opening 5. adapted to receive the threaded locking and unlocking bolt 6, which is revohibly mounted in a bracket 7. secured to a side wall of the compartment 2, said bolt being operated by a suitable device such a ratchet lever 8. This bolt and its ope-rating mechanism may be operated by means of the motor 6*, as will hereinafter be pointed out. The advantages of the threaded engagement of the bolt 6, with the door is that it has the power to forcibly loosen the door in the event that the door has become stuck or frozen to the deck and its packing due to long disuse or otherwise. At the hinge end of the door, I provide a gear 9, which is engaged by a worm gear 10, car- Patented Nov. 5, 1918.

riedby the stub shaft 11, projecting into the submarine. to the lower end of which is attached a bevel gear 12, which meshes with a bevel gear 13, on the shaft 14, to which issecured a hand wheel 15. This shaft 14, may be operated also by the motor 16. A two way switch 17. is used for reversing the motor 16, to close the 'door 4:, as will be hereinafter pointed out.

A flooding port 18, passing through the deck of the submarine and into the compartment 2, is controlled by means of a cook 19, which may be operated by hand wheel 19 or by the motor 20. The object of flooding the compartment is first to equalize the pressure on the lid, whereby it will open more readily, and second to float the buoy. 21 is a revoluble drum in compartment 2, upon which the cable 22, is wound which is operated by the crank23, in the submarine. A friction, or other brake 24:, is connected with the shaft of the drum 21, to control the reeling and unreeling of the cable 22.

A fair leader 25, or bracket, to hold cable tubing in center of compartment 2, is provided, whereby the buoy is enabled to seat itself properly within the compartment without bumping against the walls of the compartment. The fair leader is slidably mounted in grooves in the sides of the compartment whereby it may move upward and .downward within the compartment. A stop 25, is secured to the cable to relieve the point of connection between the cable and the drum 21, of unnecessary strain.

The cable 22 is suitably secured to the drum '21 and within said cable I arrange a wire 27 which is suitably connected to one end of the drum 21, at its other end to the buoy.

The cable tubing 22. has a water tight connection 28, with the drum 21, and a water tight connection 29, at its upper end. All water tight connections for the electric current wires are to comply with the requirement of the Government in connection with the wiring on mines.

The cable comprises an outer tube and a central tube 22, as shown in Fig. 5, the bronze wire 27, being inclosed in a central tube 22, while the electric conductor wires A of the system are confined between the outer and central tube, the water tight connection at each end of the cable preventing water from entering between the two tubes, thereby reducing the liability of short circuits in the cable to a minimum.

The buoy compartment comprises a pas senger chamber 30. and open compartment 31, in which a bell is suspended, a signal compartment 33. and a wireless compartment 3%. The buoy is provided with a swivel link 35, in its bottom wall to which the upper end of the bronze wire 27, is secured. 3b is a bridle. depending from the buoy which is connected with the cable 2'2, whereby strain is removed from the con ductor wires. A water tight connection 37, in the bottom of the buoy afiords ports for the entrance of the electric conductor wires into the chamber 30, of the buoy, while the brace or spreader 33. maintains the wires spaced and prevents them from fouling.

The chamber 30, is provided with a drain 39, and water tight doors l0. and 11. oxygen tank *l'l. collapsible life boats 12, provisions 43. life preservers H. and a food container to.

The signal compartment is provided with a water tight door 46. on the outside of which may be painted ()pen to signal to submarine which will indicate to the rescuers that by opening this door they may signal to the crew in the submerged boat. 47 is a drain port in the floor of chamber of 33. A portable telephone 4%. is provided in. the signal chamber 33. Electric flash light batteries 49. for heliograph is also positioned in chamber 33. The side walls of the chamber are provided with flash light openings in). behind which are reflectors 51. A drain tube :32, from the compartment 31,

leads through the compartment 33, and through the sides thereof.

The compartment 2, is provided in one of its walls with a water tight door 2", through which the crew may pass, to the door -10, of the buoy. A glass port 2, is provided in the wall of the compartment 2, in order that the crew may observe the unreeling and reeling of the cable :22, which may have indications as to the height to which the buoy ascends.

The buoy compartment or chamber, the flooding means therefor, the door releasing mechanism and the door operating mechanism are preferably controlled by electroresponsi 'e devices such as for example, shown in the Figs. 6 and 7. in which I have shown the arrangements of the parts together with the circuits diagrammatically. Referring now to Fig. 6, 100, designates the source of electrical generation which may consist of a secondary battery having a plus-sign terminal 101, and the minus-sign terminal 102 respectively. The door 4, which closes the buoy compartment is hinged at 101, and is adapted to be held in a closed position by the fastening device 6, which has a threaded end. 106, engaging a corresponding recess or opening 5, in the door. The fastenin device 6, is shown as a rotary rod or sha. t geared to a motor 6, said motor being reversible so thatthe threaded shaft may be operated in either direction to be introduced into or removed from the threaded portion of the door 4. The motor 6, is preferably driven from the storage battery 100, to which is connected the conductor 109, in the path of which are two points or contacts, 110. 111, of a three point switch 112. The contact 110, is of sutlicient length to permit the switch. 112, to remain in contact therewith, when said switch is moved off the contact 111, and on to the contact 113. \Vhen the switch is on contact 110, 111, the current will flow from 109. to the contact 111, on a suitable supporting bracket and through the contact 11?), carried by the fastening devices 6. From 115. the current will flow through 10!). through the motor 6 and back to the minus side of the battery. The rotation of motor (3. in a forward direction will cause the threaded end of 6, to recedc from engagement with the threaded opening of the door r. When the fastening device 6, is with-drawn a. continued rotation of the motor will move the contact 115, out of engagement with the contact 114, so that the motor (5, will stop because circuit 109. and 109. is broken. At the same time that the contacts 114. and 115. are separated, the contact 116. on shaft (3, will move on to contact 117. Thus the current will pass from 109, at 119. and will flow through 116, into 117, through 118% through motor 16. through 11a, back to the storage battery 16f. As

the motor 16, starts to rotate the door 4, will be caused to open through the medium of. the operating mechanism consisting of the gear 10, and its complementary parts. When the door has completely opened, or at least opened to the predetermined height, circuit 118 will be automatically broken through the automatic cut out 124 which may be of any construction. Means is provided for reversing the m otor 16, which may consist of the usual reversing contact 125 electrically connected to the battery through the medium of the conductor 126,-. in the path of which is a switch 17 in the vessel, and when the switch 17, is closed the motor 16 willbe reversed so that the door will swing into closed position.

' After the door 4 is closed the motor 6 must be reversed to move the fastening device 6 into locking engagement with the door. This may be accomplished by moving the switch 112, off contact 111 on to contact 113, whereupon the current will flow through 10$) to 110, through the switch 112- through 113 through conductor 113 to the motor 6 through 109", back'to source of generation. The reversal of the motor will, of course, move the fastening device 6 into engagement with the threaded opening 5, locking the door 4, and at the same time engagement between the contacts 116 and 117 will be broken and contact will be made between 114 and 115 although no current can flow through 114 and 115, because there is a gap between 111 and 110 and there is no liability of any other mechanism becoming accidentally operated. The conduit 18, communicating with the buoy chamber and with the surrounding sea may be opened or closed by .valve 19, preferably by motor 20. The motor receives energy from the storage battery 100, through the conductor 131, current flowing to motor 20 through 131 through the contact ring 11, through conductor 134 through switch 133 in the buoy, contact 137, return circuit 145 back through ring 11, to the minus side of the battery.

As soon as the motor is operated long enough to complete the opening of the conduit 18, the current will be automatically broken at 136. To reverse the valve 19, so as to close it, the switch 133, which is on contact 137, and 138 may bemoved oif 138, so contact will be made between 137 and 139 respectively. Current will then flow from battery 100, through 131. motor '20, reversing contact 20 connected to conductor 140 ring 11 contact 139 to return conductor 145 back through ring 11 minus side of the battery, so that the motor will be reversed and valve moved to closing position.

Motor 20 may be operated from within the buoy through the medium of'the switch 133. If it is desired to operate the door releasing mechanism and the door controlled by the motor 6 and the door operating mechanism controlled by the motor 16 from within the buoy, this can be accomplished through the medium of the conductor 145, adapted to be electrically connected to145 through switch 146 and receiving current from 144 through the ring 11"; said conductor 144"being connected to 109 beyond the contacts 110,111. and 113. Of course it is to be understood that when the switch 146 is to operate the switch 112 will be on points 11()111.

The compartment 34, for containing the wireless tower is provided with an annular groove 147, surrounding the outlet and this groove is adapted to receive an annular rib or flange 149 on the cover 150 which normally closes the opening 148. Either the groove 147, or the rib 149, may be packed if desired. The tower 151, consists of a lazy tong arrangement of levers the two lower ends of which are connected by a bar and connected to 'thejcore 156. of a solenoid coil 157, which may. be energized through'the circuits consisting of conductors 158 and 159 respectively, connected "to the battery 100, said circuit being adapted to be closed by a switch 160. \Vhen the circuit is closed and the coil 157, is energized, the solenoid core 156, will be drawn through the coil and the ends of the levers152 and 153 will'be moved together so that the lazy tongs levers will be projected through the opening 148 carrying with it the top cover 150. In this manner the tower may be extended a suit able distanceabove the buoy it being understood of course that the necessary wires for the wireless telegraph are suitably arranged thereon. When the tower is extended the core 156, will have longitudinal movement imparted thereto so that the curved pawl 161, may engage the notches 163. in the core 156 whereby the tower is held extended by the catch 161 independently of the circuit 158159, and the catch may be released through circuit 164- 165, and inasmuch as no current will then be flowing through the coil 157 the weight of the cover 150 is suflicient to cause the tower to be collapsed in the position shown in Fig. 8 scaling the chamber 34- through the medium of the groove 147 and the flange 149. hen it is desired to again extend the tower to its full height it will be necessary to energize the coil 157, and again impart longitudinal through conductors connected to ring 11 and the return circuit 1-15.

13 are deadlights in the buoy of which there may be any desired number.

I may have a telephone 18', in the buoy in circuit with the telephone 48 in the chamber 33. I may also arrange telegraphic instruments C in the broy and chamber 33.

I may operate the reel 21 by means of a motor 21 which is connected to the shaft 21 of the reel by a shaft 21 and the clutch 21. This motor 21 is connected to the plus side 101 of the battery 100 by a conductor :21 and connected to the minus side 102 of the battery 100 by means of a conductor 21 there being a switch 21 in the conductor 21.

I claim 1. A submergible vessel having a chamber with an exit opening in the hull of the yessel, a door for said exit opening, electri cally operated means for imparting movement to said door, electrically operated mean-s for normally locking said door in a closed position and means for energizing the electrically operated locking means and means for causing the door operating means to become operative after the door locking means released from locking position.

A submergible yessel comprising a hull haying a buoy Cllilll'lbtll'. a buoy in said chamber. a door normally closing said chamber, means tor normally maintaining the door in a closed positioinineans for releasing the last named means t'rom engagement with the door. and means controlled by said last named means for causing the door operating mechanism to become eliectiye after the door locking mechanism has been released from locked position.

3. A sulmiergible vessel having a compartment, means for normally closing said compartment, a buoy in said compartment, a cable attaching said buoy to the Vessel, an extensible wireless telegraph tower in the top of said buoy, circuits leading from the buoy and extending into the interior of the vessel, electromagnetic means in the circuit and adjacent to the tower for extending said tower, and means in the circuit for causing the electromagnetic means in the buoy to be alternately energized and deenergized.

l. A buoy tor submerged vessel having a compartment in the top thereof and. provided with an outlet, an extensible wireless telegraph tower in said compartment, a weighted co er connected to the top of said tower and normally closing said outlet, electromagnetic means for extending the tower through said outlet and means for energizing said electromagnetic means, said cover being eflectiye upon the deenergization and said electromagnetic means to collapse said tower and close the outlet.

A buoy for submerged vessel having a compartment in the top thereof and proided with an outlet, an extensible wireless telegraph tower in said compartment, a weighted cover connected to the top of said tower and normally closing said outlet, electromagnetic means for extending the tower through said outlet, means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and a detent for maintaining tower in the extended position; said cover being effecti e upon the decnergization of said electromagnetic means to collapse said tower and close the outlet.

(3. A buoy for subn'iergible vessel, an extensible and collapsible Wireless telegraph tower carried by said buoy, means for extending said tower a predetermined distance above the, buoy, a detent for maintaining said tower in. its extended position, means for releasing said detent and means for collapsing said tower.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

OSSED WV. JASPER.

Witnesses ROBERT J. \FORAN, C. A. THOMPSON 

